Solano County Board of Supervisors has new members sworn in

It was standing room only in the Solano County Board of Supervisors Chambers on Tuesday, as three supervisors were formally sworn in to represent the county.

Supervisor Linda Seifert was re-elected to represent District 2 and will once again serve as the board's chair after a unanimous vote from her colleagues.

Supervisor Skip Thomson is once again serving on the board to represent District 5 after he left the post in 2002. He was chosen to serve as vice chair.

Supervisor Erin Hannigan, who formerly served on the Vallejo City Council, will represent District 1 and was chosen to serve as chair pro tem.

Seifert, who also served as chair in 2012, said she thoroughly enjoyed it, as it gave her an appreciation of how issues really impact the people.

She said it's been a privilege to serve the community the last four years and she believes the board has done good work, even while they don't always agree.

"The work is the result of respectful disagreement," she said, adding that she hopes the board can continue its collaborative decision-making.

Supervisor Jim Spering praised Seifert for her leadership.

"It takes good leadership to meet the needs for Solano County," he said, adding that Seifert has done an outstanding job of demonstrating patience and respect. "Her leadership helped guide us through the challenges."

He also added that it's only fitting that Seifert continue as chair of the board.

Seifert recalled some of the positive changes during the last four years, including a precedent-setting rooster ordinance that is aimed at keeping illegal cockfighting out of Solano.

Additionally, she said when she first campaigned for office, it was partially to create an open and transparent government. While improvements have been made, she said there is still more that can be done.

During the next four years, Seifert hopes to secure a funding source for parks and recreation in order to preserve open space since Solano County is one of few California counties without a steady revenue stream for that department.

Seifert also wants to see the county continue work on protecting agriculture, water and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

"I have much hope and optimism for the coming year," she said. "I'm so excited not only about this year, but the next four years."

Hannigan and Thomson are just as thrilled.

Hannigan said her parents instilled in her to be humble and to always give back to the community.

"This is a great day for all of us," she said. "I'm looking forward to serving my community in my hometown with my colleagues."

Holding his 2-month-old grandson, Thomson told the packed chamber that all the supervisors have one goal: to make the best county government it can be.

"This is the reason so many of us get into politics," Thomson said, referring to the little guy in his arms. He added that it's a privilege to serve on the board again and he "hopes to meet your expectations."